Schaapherder met zijn hond c. 1884 - 1887

Curator: This unassuming sketch, titled "Schaapherder met zijn hond," or "Shepherd with his Dog," comes to us from the hand of Willem Witsen, sometime between 1884 and 1887. You can find it on display here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought is simplicity itself. It’s just lines, the essence of form, isn't it? A very intimate portrayal created with just pencil and a sketchbook page. Curator: Indeed. Yet, within this simplicity lies a cultural echo. The shepherd, a timeless figure, represents not just a rural occupation, but also alludes to notions of guidance and protection. Think of the Good Shepherd as a metaphor, still potent today. Editor: Precisely. The sketch relies entirely on line quality, a type of coded index, and directional hatching to suggest three-dimensionality. See how Witsen uses light strokes for the background elements, drawing them away to achieve atmospheric depth. Curator: The dog too! An emblem of loyalty and companionship through the ages. The pair evokes the idea of being in service—in relation to the herd, of course—a symbolic bond to a cycle, but perhaps a feeling from much further back, an ancient reliance and friendship between human and canine. Editor: Observe the stark contrast. The quick strokes of the sketch heighten a sense of immediacy, a capturing of a fleeting moment, rather than any permanent declaration. There are many ways of using line—here they give shape to forms and generate light across them. Curator: Yes, this resonates with our understanding of human engagement with animals over history—a deep and resonant relationship built on necessity, fidelity, and perhaps, dare I say, a certain mutual understanding reflected here by Witsen. It really lets us into a preserved cultural and historical memory. Editor: A fascinating little glimpse. I do appreciate seeing the bones of construction like this. Curator: Yes, it serves as a potent symbol of the connection to ancestral rural life while at the same time simply an expertly handled lesson in form and light.